Farming systems in the world Spring 2003 Manuel Corro AGED 4713 International Agriculture

Objectives 4 Know differences between tropical and temperate environments 4 Differentiate types of agricultural systems 4 Compare and contrast selected farm types, sizes and operations in other nations 4 Explain how farmers in other countries produce food. 4 Examples of farming systems

Tropic of Capricorn Tropic of Cancer

Temperate vs Tropical Above 30 Degrees north & south equator Rainfall Temperature: mild Ecosystem Low Disease threat From equator to 30 Degrees north &south Extreme : from almost nothing to >4000 mm Hottest to mild temperature Fragile ecosystem High levels of diseases

Cooler and drier vs. Warm and wet environments Less biomass < Biodiversity Less complex More vulnerable > biomass (organic matter) > Biodiversity Complex food web Very Fragile environment

Climate and topography are the most significant environmental factors that determine ecosystem

Climatic Classification The modified Köppen climatic classification system organize the world’s regions into six climatic zones t 5 based on precipitation: 4 moist, 1 dry t 1 based on topography

Climatic Zones Source: The National Geographic Reference Desk, p.117 (1999)

Earth’s Biomes Classification U. S. Forest system classifies earth’s biomes into the following categories: forest grassland desert tundra Source: The National Geographic Reference Desk, p. 234 (1999)

Biomes They are macroregional ecosystems based on life - forms (the form, structure,and function of the organisms) rather than on sets of particular species. Biomes enable comparisons between regions to improve the understanding of ecosystem process and to establish management practices when new species (crops) are introduced from elsewhere.

U. S. Forest Classification is further divided into 15 categories:

Forest Biomes Source: The National Geographic Reference Desk, p. 234 (1999)

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